World Population Day: FG, UNFPA call for youth-centered policies, digital census

The Federal Government on Thursday joined the global community in marking World Population Day 2025, renewing its call for greater investment in its youth population and reinforcing the use of data in national planning.

World Population Day, observed annually on July 11 since 1990, serves as a platform to raise awareness on population issues and their impact on development.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to commemorate the day, Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Kwarra, emphasised the urgent need to address the barriers facing young people in order to unlock the country’s demographic potential.

The event was organised by NPC in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund.

Kwarra said the theme of this year’s observance, ‘Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World’, was timely and critical for Nigeria, considering its demographic profile.

He said, “With over 60 per cent of our population under the age of 30, we stand on the brink of a transformative demographic transition.

“Our youthful and vibrant population has the potential to be a powerful driver of national development.

However, to harness this promise, we must address the structural barriers that limit young people’s ability to make informed and voluntary decisions about their lives, livelihoods, and reproductive choices,” the chairman stated.

He warned that without urgent action, the country risks turning its demographic dividend into a demographic burden.

“Far too many of our young people face multiple constraints ranging from limited access to quality education and healthcare, to unemployment, gender-based discrimination, and social marginalisation.

“These realities threaten to turn our potential demographic dividend into a demographic burden if left unaddressed.

“World Population Day 2025 is, therefore, a call to action for government, civil society, development partners, and the private sector to recommit to creating a just and supportive environment in which young people are empowered with knowledge, supported by opportunity, and protected by rights,” he continued.

Highlighting the commission’s ongoing initiatives, the chairman spoke on the revitalisation of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system, describing it as the backbone of inclusive development.

He stressed that a birth certificate is not merely a document, but the first formal recognition of a citizen by the state.

It serves as a gateway to essential rights and services, unlocking access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and social protection.

“Without it, individuals risk remaining invisible in the eyes of policymakers and being excluded from national development,” he added.

The chairman revealed that in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Interior, and development partners, the commission is advancing the digital transformation of birth and death registration systems nationwide.

Digital registration points are being deployed in healthcare facilities and community centres to ensure that every Nigerian child is counted and protected from birth.

According to him, this real-time data system is already contributing to improved national planning in areas such as maternal and child health, school enrollment, and social protection programmes.

On the forthcoming population and housing census, Kwarra stated that the exercise will be the first fully digital census in Nigeria’s history.

He said the data to be collected will not only determine the nation’s population size but also provide disaggregated information on age, gender, location, education, housing, and access to services.

Such data is indispensable for evidence-based planning, particularly in youth-focused sectors like education, health, employment, and skills development,” he said.

He noted that the Federal Government has shown a strong commitment to the census by providing resources and institutional backing.

He also spoke on the development of the National Geospatial Data Repository, which integrates census and CRVS data with advanced mapping tools.

Kwarra added that the platform will allow policymakers to visualise population trends, identify underserved communities, and track service delivery gaps.

“This innovation enhances our capacity to implement targeted interventions, especially in areas with high youth populations and limited infrastructure,” he stated.

He commended the UNFPA for its consistent support.

“We sincerely commend the United Nations Population Fund for its steadfast support in promoting reproductive health, strengthening demographic data systems, and advancing youth empowerment in Nigeria.

Their enduring partnership has been instrumental in enhancing our capacity to fulfil our mandate and in driving forward a shared vision of a future where no one is left behind,” he said.

He also thanked members of the media for their role in promoting public awareness.

“You are not just conveyors of information; you are custodians of national awareness, bridging the gap between data, policy, and the people.

“Your commitment to accurate reporting, public education, and media advocacy remains essential to building a population-literate society and ensuring that our youth are informed, empowered, and supported,” the chairman noted.

He concluded with a strong call for national unity and action, stating, “Empowering our youth is not a choice, it is an existential imperative. It demands collective resolve, evidence-based action, and a steadfast commitment to justice and opportunity and youth investments.

“Let us work together to create a Nigeria where every young person has the tools, the freedom, and the support to create the life and the family they desire. Let us make this year’s World Population Day a defining moment for a more inclusive, equitable, and data-informed future,” Kwarra concluded.

In his remarks, the UNFPA Nigeria Deputy Representative and Officer-in-Charge Koessan Kuawu, said this year’s theme reflects a global shift in the conversation around population and fertility.

Kuawu urged FG and its partners to intensify efforts in empowering young people to make informed reproductive choices, emphasising that true progress lies not in controlling fertility rates but in expanding agency and access to reproductive health services.

“UNFPA Nigeria emphasises the critical need for government and its partners to prioritise empowering young people to make informed choices about their reproductive lives, rather than imposing barriers or misguided expectations,” he noted.

Kuawu noted that a recent UNFPA State of the World Population report revealed that one in five people under the age of 50 expect to have a family size different from what they truly desire, largely due to financial pressure, health concerns, and societal expectations.

“The narrative around population often misattributes fertility rates to free choice, ignoring the complex realities young Nigerians face.

“Financial insecurity, limited access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, and societal pressures often restrict their ability to make decisions about their bodies and futures. We must create an environment where young people are supported, not blamed, for their fertility decisions,” he said.

“While 22.2 per cent of sexually active, unmarried adolescents (15–19) and 28.2 per cent of young adults (20–24) use modern methods, the gap remains significant.

“This shows that access and choice are still major issues,” the UNFPA Nigeria Deputy Representative noted.

He called for a multidimensional response that includes investing in youth employment and financial security, expanding access to comprehensive sexuality education, and fostering intergenerational understanding and solidarity.

He also emphasised the importance of making sexual and reproductive health and rights services universally accessible, especially to young people.

Kuawu urged, “Let’s create choices, not barriers, so they can thrive and build a hopeful future for themselves and generations to come—ensuring they have hope for a better tomorrow that is supportive of their choices and protective of their rights.”

Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to Nigeria’s development goals, Kuawu said, “UNFPA stands always ready to support the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to strengthen national and sub-national health systems to deliver quality, comprehensive, rights-based, accessible, and affordable family planning information and services.”

He concluded by encouraging FG to “conduct the census. UNFPA is already supporting this effort and is ready to continue on the side.”